Anime has always been one of the best mediums to enjoy any sort of genre. Whether you’re into action, comedy, or romance it covers all aspects of categories marvelously. But sadly, there’s only one group, which is pretty left behind and that is horror.
But it doesn’t mean there are no good shows in this genre. There are some amazing anime in this classification as well. But most of them are criminally underrated. Which is sad for sure!
Another reason for not having so much of the show in this genre is that it is a stressful job to make horror content for sure. But still, I’ll repeat myself, there are horror anime out there that are not so popular and need to be discovered.
Therefore, here we are compiling “Top 10 Greatest Horror Anime of the Century,” which will bring shimmer to your bones.
So, grab your blanket and keep on reading because here’s my list of the best horror anime to watch!
Warning: Don’t watch this anime at night because it can make you stare at your wall with sleeplessness.
10. Another
STAY AWAY FROM UMBRELLA!!
Yes, I mean it, after watching this anime, you definitely won’t get close to an umbrella even if it’s raining cats and dogs.
The show is the true definition of darkness and suspension because you will never know what will happen next.
The story starts with students of class 3 starting to die accidentally and one by one everyone starts to fall into this mysterious death rope.
Our hero, Koichi Sakakibara, is a transfer student who wants to unveil the truth behind this mysterious death.
Furthermore, He soon meets a girl wearing an eye patch, who says she is cursed or something, which is not the case. They soon join to draw out this mysterious case and finally find the real criminal behind this crisis.
Don’t worry, it’s not a detective-based anime. It has some pure psychological horror that will hook you to the end.
9. Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories
Yamishibai is not your ordinary horror show. The goal of this show is to make you scared in just 5 minutes. Yes, you read that right!
It has numerous seasons with different themes, but it’s not your 30-minute series or long-run anime. It’s the kind of TV series, where you get to see a new story every episode. And it’s super scary, trust me.
The animation, unique character design, and story will bring chills to your bones. If you haven’t tried it, go for it, Because it’s worth it!
8. Higurashi: When They Cry
Higurashi: When They Cry is a dark story, where there are no ghosts or creepy monsters but the only demons that exist are humans themselves. Yes, you read that right!
The story starts within a friendly environment where you don’t expect any horror for about 2 or 3 episodes.
It looks so wholesome yet refreshing to see everyone enjoying their school life, especially the protagonist, who is a newly transferred student and becomes popular among girls.
Furthermore, when the darker side of the story is revealed, there’s no coming back. It gets darker and darker. And once you are in this loop you cannot imagine it to be wholesome again. Especially, with the way each character changes drastically.
Moreover, even though there are no ghosts in the show you will still feel goosebumps plus depression after watching this anime. Warning: if you can’t take bloodbaths and heartbreaking scenes, please stay away from this anime.
Other than that you can still watch it because the storyline is one of a kind. Plus you have to binge-watch season 2 to know more about season 1 or else you wouldn’t understand even a bit of the premise of the show.
7. Shiki:
Shiki is all about vampires roaming around the town, but mind you, they are not your regular handsome and fantasy-driven vampires you mostly dream of or watch. ITS NOT THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.
They are deadly ones that can suck your blood through the veins and can kill you without a hint of hesitation.
This anime has some of the cruelest and most heartbreaking moments that can submerge your mind into the darkness of humanity.
People will kill their relatives to safeguard their village; hence you will get to see some emotional sides of families, along with their past life.
It’s one of the best horror anime, but I have just one complaint, it ends with only one season.
Even though there can be a sequel for the story part. Still, there’s none and all the questions left in season 1 remain unanswered forever.
6. Elfen Lied:
Here comes some of the bloodiest anime in history. This anime shows some of the explicit violence that a normal human can’t take in. Half of the anime is based on killing, cruelty, and abuse. Some of the scenes in the anime will not only break you emotionally but mentally as well.
Warning: If you can’t watch disturbing scenes and if you’re below the age of 18 you should skip this anime.
The story revolves around Lucy, a beautiful young mutant created by government officials to use as an unformidable weapon. She has fabulous strength and soon she escapes the laboratory, where she is forced to be a test subject of scientists.
But the girl, who was forced to be subject material, couldn’t take it anymore and escaped the wall of the laboratory. And trust me this scene is one of the most blood-soaked moments in the anime ever. You can see the heart and other parts of the body flying here and there. It’s really disturbing than you’d expect and looks way more realistic than you’d expect!
Additionally, during her escape, she loses all her memories and acts as a normal girl with little to no knowledge of worldly things.
Furthermore, if you are a person who is fine with an immense amount of bloodshed then don’t skip this one because it’s one of the best gore or horror anime for sure!
5. Mieruko-chan:
Mieruko-chan is a recent addition to the list of horror anime and it’s also a new-generation horror series. It did superb work. It perfectly delivers the spooky aspect of the show with horrifying ghost and spirit designs. You can’t sleep after watching this series because you will always feel conscious that someone is following you.
The show revolves around the day-to-day life of Mieruko-chan, but her life is not as simple as you may think. One day, after leaving her class on a rainy day she started seeing ghosts around her. And yes, it’s the real one and the creepiest ghost ever. And I mean it. Even though the show seems pretty customary, you will find it frightening to watch whenever the ghost appears in front of your screen.
Imagine after a long day, you went to bed and you found something inside your blanket, a small but blackish spirit-like creature with eyes popping out and long teeth calling you “Momma”, Scared? I bet you are and you will be once you watch the show!
Additionally, she was pushed to ignore these spiritual things because apart from her, no one noticed them. Which is why it gets scarier for real.
Furthermore, if you are starting to watch this show, don’t skip the opening theme, or you will be cursed (joke).
4. Dark Gathering:
The show where ghosts are less intimidating or scarier than a little girl. Yes, it’s true!
The show starts with Keitaro, an unfortunate boy, with the ability to attract cursed ghosts and spirits around him. Moreover, he got cursed as well, which made him cut off his ties with society. But now because of his best friend Eiko, he is trying to get back to his regular self.
He started attending schools and worked as a tutor for the above-mentioned little girl, Yayoi, who was obsessed with finding ghosts and spirits. Only, she doesn’t do it for enjoyment or fun, but to take revenge from a cursed spirit that has taken her mom’s spirit.
After meeting Keitaro, she forces him to help her, and together their journey starts as Ghost hunters.
The show is a masterpiece and has deep and emotional stories that will definitely delve into the plot and characters more and more. Absolute binge-worthy show for sure!
3. The Promised Neverland:
The Promised Neverland is one of the most popular anime on our list, and I’m sure many of you have already watched it long ago. Still, if you are from that one percent crowd, who had just heard about it and never watched it, now is the right time for you to watch it. Moreover, You can skip season 2 because it’s just rushed and doesn’t stand up to the hype.
Moreover, if you want to continue the journey of knowing the story then just go for reading manga instead because it covers the whole story without any fluff.
The story of “The Promised Neverland” revolves around Emma, Ray, and Norman, the smartest and most diligent characters from the anime. This anime is again about the aliens wishing to eat the human brain to maintain their form as a smart being, if not they will turn into brainless monsters. Yes, you read that right!
Now, let’s dig into some more details about the main plot of the anime for better understanding. So, as the title suggests, the anime is all about the promise between humans and demons to stop the long-lasting war between them.
The agreement, the So-called promise between demons and humans, is nothing but a separate “Worlds” of their own, where humans will be without the threat of demons, and most importantly, human breeding farms will be set up for demons to feed them. By feeding on humans they can maintain their attributes or else they will eventually turn into mindless monsters as said.
The kids living on the farm were kept in the loop because they were told that they were orphans and living in their orphanages. The setup of the orphanage was such that no one could assume that it was a breeding ground for demons. These orphans were taken up by mothers appointed by demons to take care of them till they reached a certain age of intelligence. After they reach that level they are said to be taken away by adoption. But sadly, they were handed over to demons to feed over their brain.
2. Parasyte
Parasyte is not your ordinary horror show with ghosts and spirits cursing or killing humans, but it’s one step ahead of it. It tells the story of some weird yet dangerous aliens that can control humans. Yes, that’s right!
The story starts with Shinichi Izumi, our protagonist, getting attacked by this parasitic alien, but somehow he can’t get hold of Shinichi’s brain. So, he got stuck in his left hand.
As the story moves forward they both start their journey as partners to eradicate other aliens and as the story ends, it brings a gigantic change to our protagonist’s personality. Why? To know that, you have to watch this show.
1. School-Live!
School-Live! is my favorite horror show and if you are into watching Walking Dead and zombie stuff then this anime is a must-watch for you.
At first, it looks like an ordinary slice-of-life anime, where multiple cute girls are doing cute stuff. But soon you will be pushed towards the reality where you will get to see their tragic past and how they came together and stuck in their school. Warning: if you can’t take dark or death scenes, then please don’t watch it because it’s heartbreaking.
Other than that, it’s one of the best horror and zombie anime in existence.
Wrapping Up:
At last, we tried our best to add some of the best horror and dark anime that can instantly satisfy your craving for sure. But choose wisely because some of these shows are the scariest anime in history. Lastly, thanks for reading.
